Page 37 of Second Time Around

“Wait until you see the cookies she made,” Maggie said.

“I’ve been looking forward to those ever since Beck invited me,” Jenna admitted.

“She still has a sweet tooth,” Beck said.

“Some things never change,” Barb said fondly.

Beck’s thigh pressed into hers, and she wondered if he’d done it on purpose. She glanced at him, but he was focused on his plate and didn’t meet her gaze.

Jenna dug into her food with gusto. The conversation flowed easily as they ate baked ham, potato salad, coleslaw, rolls, and fruit. Jenna asked questions to keep the family talking about themselves. She’d done so not only to divert attention from herself but because she was genuinely interested.

She learned all about Maggie’s job as a graphic designer, Jim’s woodworking hobby since he’d retired, and Barb’s bout with cancer. Jenna had been afraid to broach the subject, but when it came up, the family didn’t shy away from talking about it.

Barb’s surgery and treatment had been successful, but there was still the possibility the cancer could reoccur. Jenna read the looks of concern on each of their faces and knew they were being cautiously optimistic on Barb’s behalf. It touched her to see them rallying around their beloved wife/mother, and she prayed they wouldn’t have to go through this again. She wished there was something she could do, but the only thing she had to offer was a haircut.

“Barb, I had a cancellation for Wednesday morning. Would you like to take the appointment?”

Barb beamed at her from across the table. “I’d love to. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me until after your haircut,” Jenna said in her usual self-deprecating way.

They all laughed.

“Are you kidding? You give the best haircuts!” Maggie said.

“I agree,” said Beck. He turned and gave her a full-wattage smile that made her feel warm and tingly inside.

No tingles. Bad tingles!

“You guys are just saying that because I’m an old friend.”

“That’s not all you are. You were like a daughter to us,” Barb said, looking misty-eyed.

Oh no. Stay in the present. Please!

“She’s right. We’ve missed you around here,” Jim added.

Beck cleared his throat noisily. “I don’t think Jenna wants to travel down memory lane,” he said. “How about those cookies?”

“Of course. I’ll just clear the dishes first,” Barb said and immediately stood up.

“We’ll help, right, Dad?” Maggie prompted.

“We will?” Jim looked surprised. Then he said, “Right. Of course we will.”

“Beck, why don’t you and Jenna go out back? I’ll call you when we’re done,” Barb suggested.

“Okay,” he said, shooting Jenna a questioning look.

She nodded, and then they went out the patio door and into the large, treed backyard. At the back of the property was Barb’s pride and joy—a rose garden that boasted a variety of colorful blooms.

Jenna remembered seeing her out there for hours, nurturing the flowers almost like they were her children. She was glad Barb still had an interest in gardening and, just like the romance novels, thought it might have helped her through a rough time.

“Sorry about all that,” Beck said as they strolled toward the garden.

“About what?” she asked, but she knew exactly what he was referring to.

“My family treating you—us—like we’re still kids.”